Paleis Het Loo

2km/1.25mi north of Apeldoorn is the royal palace of Het Loo (1685-92), built by Jacob Roman and Daniël Marot as a country residence for King William III. At the beginning of the 19th century the palace was extended by King Louis Bonaparte and the gardens were laid out in the French style. Het Loo was the favorite residence of William I and III, and after her abdication in 1948 Queen Wilhelmina lived here until her death in 1962. In the early 1980s the palace was renovated in its original style.

Part of the palace is now an interesting museum, and the collection of pictures, furniture and coins belonging to the house of Orange-Nassau attracts visitors from all over the world. The palace also houses the Museum of the Chancery of the Netherlands Orders of Knighthood, with displays of orders and medals. In the park is the castle (14th-15th C.) of Oude Loo. The royal stables contain a collection of old cars and coaches belonging to the royal family.